A wild winter storm engulfed most of the United States on Saturday, bringing blizzards, freezing rain, flooding, and temperatures nearing record lows.
The storm, dubbed a “bomb cyclone” or “bombogenesis” by forecasters, was spawned by a collision of cold, dry air from the north with warm, moist air from the south.
The storm was responsible for more than a dozen deaths. In addition, travel and utilities were compromised, with approximately 1.4 million households and businesses without electricity by late afternoon.
The National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted that winter weather warnings or advisories affect around 60% of the US population, or 200 million people. According to the NWS, the storm’s size resulted in “one of the greatest extents” of warnings or advisories in the service’s history.
The storm’s power is attributed to a “powerful Arctic front,” bringing heavy snow to the Great Lakes and winter weather threats to the Gulf Coast and the central Florida peninsula.
While snow is savaging locations like Buffalo, bitterly cold wind gusts are affecting regions like the Carolinas, where the populace may not have the means to deal with them.
Additionally, parts of Canada are experiencing exceptionally high winds and snowfall, complicating travel even in areas that are accustomed to harsh winter weather.
On one of the busiest days of the year, flights have been cancelled or delayed at airports across the United States and Canada, and delays are expected to last at least through the weekend.